STRESS MANAGEMENT

josh · Post by **josh** » March 22nd, 2007, 8:37 am

How can we apply stress management to everyday workers? Stressed workers are less productive, more prone to accidents, have more sick days, and cost the company many thousands of dollars on the bottom line. What should be a good stress management program were employees feel good about coming to work and doing the best job they can.

Jack S. · Post by **Jack S.** » March 22nd, 2007, 10:22 am

Beer on the job!

SouthsideDuc · Post by **SouthsideDuc** » March 22nd, 2007, 11:45 am

How about having a good work environment where workers are paid what they are worth, are not hounded on a daily basis by management people making three times their salary, and are rewarded for hard work and a job well done?

Cayenne · Post by **Cayenne** » March 22nd, 2007, 1:54 pm

Profit sharing;

Communication that "this is a team effort so that we can all benefit"; appeal to the "higher self", ie; "work is love made visible", ( Kahil Gibran,) that is, "you are doing a service by doing the service, building the product, etc.

Company structure that makes people feel their concerns are heard and that they as individuals are respected

maidenjim · Post by **maidenjim** » March 24th, 2007, 1:59 am

I don't know a lot about stress management in the workplace, but I agree that it can be very rewarding. I guess that we indirectly have certain aspects of our company that contribute to stress management. Unlike a lot of the up and coming industrial worksites in the area, we do not require the employees to wear a uniform. I believe this allows the employee to dress in what they feel comfortable (as long as it is within the company guidelines). We also allow workers to have music at the workstations or in the departments. I believe that music is a great stress reliever. We have been regularly subscribing to the e-Magazine at eaptools.com/worklifeExcel.html to inspire our employees and help the Bottom Line in our office. I think it’s a good resource for a HR manager.

Angelap · Post by **Angelap** » May 21st, 2007, 7:41 am

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josh wrote:How can we apply stress management to everyday workers? Stressed workers are less productive, more prone to accidents, have more sick days, and cost the company many thousands of dollars on the bottom line. What should be a good stress management program were employees feel good about coming to work and doing the best job they can.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » May 21st, 2007, 8:18 pm

josh wrote:How can we apply stress management to everyday workers?

Get rid of the federal reserve, irs, world bank and the nwo.

Ducatista · Post by **Ducatista** » May 21st, 2007, 8:45 pm

Jack S. wrote:Beer on the job!

Not a bad idea, as long as there's no surgery or heavy lifting involved in your line of work. A delivery guy stocks the beer fridge twice a month at my office. The job still gets stressful at times, but a cold, crisp beer toward the end of a brutal day (or in the middle of an all-nighter) is a nice amenity.

I don't think all stress is bad. Some is, like the stress that comes from having little control over your situation, or the stress of constant negative reinforcement. But the stress that comes from tight deadlines or tough challenges or high expectations can be exhilarating and enriching. Spare me the stree-free life.

Andy Nield · Post by **Andy Nield** » May 22nd, 2007, 6:48 am

- don't make them go to company meetings
- decrease the number of managers
- don't make them do irrelevant quality/training/safety courses
- don't ever say leverage to them (not even in an email)
- don't make them wear a suit or tie
- give them a christmas party (not a holiday party)
- talk to them in English instead of corporate BS
- let them work flexible hours
- don't include them in company email lists, they are not interested
- free drinks
- gym membership
- pay them

'applying stress management to them' is likely to be more stressful than if you just
leave them alone to get on with their job.

Ducatista · Post by **Ducatista** » May 22nd, 2007, 12:20 pm

How about: stop thinking of them as "them," and start thinking of them as "us."

That Us/Them divide is a pretty fundamental dysfunction.

Nosmo · Post by **Nosmo** » May 22nd, 2007, 4:22 pm

Ask them. And listen to what they have to say. (not necessarily do what they want but take their opinions and recommendations seriously)

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » May 22nd, 2007, 4:22 pm

Because they, are not us. We are us. They are them.

They would like us to think of us being us and them, and them as being part of us. But they're not part of us.

What we need to do is to think of us as being us, because we are us and not them; and to see them as being them and not us. Then we can be together on this.

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